Barney Frank endorses Clinton; Out Democrat signs on as economic advisor

Veteran U.S. House member Barney Frank, the only out gay man in Congress, is endorsing Sen. Hillary Clinton for president. Frank, the Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, has also signed on as an economic advisor to the Clinton campaign. “Barney has devoted his life to championing economic fairness and civil rights, and expanding opportunity for all Americans,” Clinton said in a statement. “I'm delighted he'll take a leadership role in our campaign.” Frank joins the only other out member of Congress, Rep. Tammy Baldwin, who endorsed Clinton in August and signed on to be a co-chair for Clinton's campaign in her home state of Wisconsin. In his endorsement Frank said the qualities Clinton brings to the job “will make her an extremely effective leader in our effort to reverse the badly flawed course on which George Bush and past Republican Congresses have set this country.” Frank also said he was “particularly pleased by her commitment to reverse the economic policies that have created a situation in which as the country progresses economically, only a small number of Americans benefit. Her understanding of the need to implement policies that provide fairness for middle and working class people is very important.”

U.N. revises worldwide HIV rates; Better methodology makes for slightly lower global number

Talk about a do over. The United Nations is lowering its estimates for new infections of HIV by millions, and is now estimating that the rate of transmission peaked nearly a decade ago, the New York Times reported. UNAids has changed its worldwide infection rate estimate from 39.5 million to 33.2 million. The revised number takes into account better methodology and scientific estimates, especially in several African countries with large populations. The country with the biggest change in its estimate was India, which saw its HIV number revised down from 5.7 million to 2.5 million, thanks in part to the increased use of condoms. For years, urban populations were over indexed in HIV estimates. The UN now estimates that the yearly rate of infections peaked at three million a year in the late 1990's. HIV infection is still a huge problem, however, since more than two million people died from AIDS in 2006, while 2.5 million people got HIV. Harvard School of Public Health staffer Daniel Halperin, a critic of past HIV estimates, told the Times the revisions are “not a surprise,” but “this doesn't mean the epidemic is going away, everything is fine and now forget about it—not at all. There are still about 10 countries in southern Africa that are real nightmares.”

Labor Party Wins in Australia; Anti-gay Prime Minister Howard turned out of office

After more than a decade in power, Australia's ruling Liberal Party lost in the Nov. 24 general election, setting the stage for an increase in legally recognized LGBT rights and a more gay-friendly government. Prime Minister John Howard conceded defeat to Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd in an election that removed Howard's Liberal Party majority in the Australian Parliament. Rudd, the incoming prime minister, does not support same-sex marriage, but has said his party will support changes to the tax code that penalize same-sex couples. In addition, Rudd has said he will implement the recommendations of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), which has argued more than 50 laws need to be amended to end discrimination for Australian gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Howard has been opposed to the tax reforms and instructed government agencies to not cooperate with the HREOC as it was putting together its list of recommendations. Howard's government also overturned a civil unions law in the Australian Capital Territory, according to the website www.pinknews.com.uk. The new government is expected to change course in many areas beyond LGBT rights. Rudd has said he would sign the Kyoto environmental accords and quickly remove Australia's 550 troops from Iraq, the New York Times reported.

Three Men Sentenced in Sandy Murders

Three men were sentenced for their roles in the death of a New York gay man who was lured into a trap first hatched on the Internet, the New York Times reported. In October 2006, Michael Sandy was lured to a beach, punched and then chased onto a highway where he was hit by an SUV and later died. One of his attackers, Gary Timmins, 17, testified against his friends: John Fox, 20, who was convicted of manslaughter and attempted robbery; Anthony Fortunato, 21, of manslaughter; and Ilya Shurov, who pled guilty to manslaughter and attempted robbery. Ironically, Fortunato announced he was gay during the trial. “I acted like a coward and I turned and walked away,” he said during sentencing.

Singapore allows gay singers to perform

The second time seems to be the charm. Jason and deMarco, the L.A.-based couple and singing duo known for their gay-affirming Christian music, have been given the green light to perform in Singapore at a concert for AIDS awareness, according to local paper Today. The pair was denied entry to the prosperous Asian city state to perform in 2005 for Safehaven, a gay-affirming religious group. But the government agency Media Development Authority, which refused to issue a performing license two years ago, reversed their decision since Jason and deMarco are scheduled to perform in the HIV Outreach, Prevention and Empowerment (HOPE) concert, an event designed to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS prevention.

Dutch insurer to offer LGBT-specific policies

Not feeling well? If you're Dutch, no problem. It is getting easier for gays, lesbians and transgendered people to receive comprehensive health care in the Netherlands. Dutch insurer Agis will begin offering insurance policies designed specifically for LGBT people starting in 2008, according to Radio Netherlands Worldwide. The policies, which were developed with help from the Dutch gay rights group COC, will not assume clients are heterosexual, which could mean different approaches to reproductive health, gynecological care and mental health services. In the Netherlands, residents choose private insurance to cover basic coverage and additional packages based on individual needs.

Bay Area gets first openly gay mayor

Gary Cloutier, an openly gay member of the Vallejo, Calif. city council, was elected mayor of the San Francisco suburb by a razor thin margin, edging out his closest rival by just four votes, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The election was held Nov. 6, but the vote was not finalized until nearly three weeks later. Cloutier has had an eventful November—after the election but before the vote was finalized, Cloutier was arrested in Palm Springs for public intoxication. "I promise to work hard to restore any confidence that may have been lost as a result of this incident,” Cloutier told the Chronicle.

LA Gay & Lesbian Center Honors Jenifer Lewis

Singer Jenifer Lewis received the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center's Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award Nov. 17 at the organization's 36th Annual Gala and Auction. More than 1,000 attendees heard Lewis sing after she was presented with the award by Oscar winner Shirley MacLaine. Lewis was not the only awardee of the night; Singer Linda Ronstadt presented a Center Board of Directors Award to Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles Executive Director Hywell Sims. The Gala, which was hosted by Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives star Alec Mapa, raised more than $475,000 for the Center's various services.

Lutheran Church Ordains Lesbian Minister

Saints be praised. A Chicago Lutheran church has ordained a lesbian minister even though she has refused to take a vow of celibacy. Rev. Jen Rude, a third-generation minister, was ordained despite the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's requirement for gay clergy to take a vow of celibacy, a vow heterosexual ministers are not required to take. Bishop Wayne Miller did not block the ordination, but did not attend Rude's ordination at Resurrection Church Nov. 18. "My goal is to keep people in the conversation, and I do not see this as an issue that should be dividing the church,” Miller said before the ordination.

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Announces Support of Marriage Equality

Same-sex marriage makes smart business sense, according to the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. The business group has endorsed arguments filed in the state Supreme Court by local apparel company Levi Strauss & Co., which supports the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. The Levi Strauss brief steers clear of legal precedents on marriage cited in other filings and instead argues that equal rights for employees are good for business. "Eliminating marriage discrimination in California would send a message that California promotes acceptance and equality, thus enhancing the ability of California businesses to compete nationwide for top talent," the brief said.

Anti-gay protestors demonstrate at Commonwealth Summit

Anti-gay Protestors demonstrated at the summit of Commonwealth heads of state in Kampala, Uganda, just minutes after the United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth II delivered opening remarks, reported the news service AFP. The biennial conference brings together the leaders of 53 nations which were once under British rule. The agenda includes global warming, economic development issues and human rights. Protestors argued Western nations have allowed gay activists to establish and promote homosexuality in African countries. “We are living in a global village as Commonwealth member states,” said the Interfaith Rainbow Coalition Against Homosexuality. “Developed countries in the Commonwealth legalized homosexuality and influenced the poor states.”

"We're nice, decent people. We've been in a committed relationship for over three years. Something like this just throws you.

—Morne Stickling, who was denied a room in the luxury South African resort Villa Vita Nouva after the owner found out Stickling and his boyfriend were planning on sharing a bed.

This page compiled by Christopher Lisotta from The Associated Press and other news reports.